Oral Rehydration Salts
Summary
Oral rehydration salts for treating dehydration are available pre-packaged. If pre-mix is not available a preparation can be made using salt, sugar, and water using a standard ratio:
- 30 mililitre (mlMililitre) sugar : 2.5 ml salt : 1 liter (l) water
- 2 tablespoon (tblsp) sugar : 0.5 teaspoon (tspTeaspoon) salt : 1 quart (qt) water
Introduction
Oral rehydration therapy is effective in treating fluid loss after acute diarrhea due to various causes, such as dysentery and gastroenteritis, including cholera or rotavirus.
Quick Recipe
If there are no measuring utensils available, simply dissolve a large pinch of salt and a fistful of sugar in a jug of clean water. If the patient has diarrhea note that too much sugar can make diarrhea worse.
Burns
Slightly rounded teaspoon of salt in one quart of water (the equivalent of half-normal, i.e. 0.45%percent, saline). Have patient drink 4 to 8 quarts in first 8 hours (sipping slowly), 4 to 8 qts in the next 16 hours, then as dictated by thirst.
Cholera
(Or other severe diarrheal illness.)
To one quart of water add a scant teaspoon of Lite-Salt (a mixture of sodium and potassium chloride); 10 tsp sugar; 1/3 tsp sodium bicarbonate.
